Acting Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi informed the Chairman of the Organization for Safety and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Zbignev Rau on the Mission of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the republic. He spoke about the organization’s activities in a telephone conversation, reports TASS with reference to the statement of the Polish OSCE Chairmanship.
Minister Tleuberdi presented current information about the situation in Kazakhstan, also told about the continuing Mission of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He expressed the commitment of the President and Government [Kazakhstan] respect and fulfill all international obligations, including in relation to rights man and fundamental freedoms, “- the statement says.
Rau expressed regret with the Kazakh side because of numerous victims of violence. He also stressed the need to comply with OSCE commitments, including those related to human rights. He added that Kazakhstan over the years has been an important OSCE State party and an active partner in Central Asia, offering assistance and support in continuing political reforms in full compliance with OSCE commitments.
On January 9, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the American side would require Kazakhstan to explain to the invitation of the CSTO peacekeepers. He also criticized the order of Kasym-Zhomart Tokaeva to open the fire on defeat.
Protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2 due to the rapid growth of gas prices for cars from 60 to 120 tenge (from 10 to 20 rubles) per liter. Soon, economic demands were replaced by political: the resignation of the government, holding new elections, consideration of the issue of lustration of people from the “clan” of the former President of Nursultan Nazarbayev. The beginning of peacefully protest soon overshadowed the seizure of government buildings and mortar, during the clashes of citizens and the police, dozens died and hundreds of people were injured. The CSTO troops went to the aid of Kazakhstani forces, including part of the Army of Russia.